2009 to 2010

Today is New Year's Eve! I have been bombarded the last few days with facebook updates by all of my friends and family recapping their year and either happy to see 2009 go or excited for the fresh start 2010 brings. I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on this day that seems made for that.

I have had a rather pleasant 2009. I have been very blessed in many, many ways. 2009 had some definite low moments. We experienced the unexpected death of a family friend, but was met with amazing news from her son and daughter-in-law just a few months later. We are excited that 2010 brings our wonderful friends the joys of parenthood for the first time.

Seth had surgery this summer, but it went well and did it's job. Seth does miss being able to do tricks with his belly button, but having the umbilical hernia repaired gave us piece of mind. Unfortunately, Gabriel heads back to surgery in two and a half weeks but we have high hopes that this will alleviate his hearing difficulties and fluid back up. We had my medical scare in the spring, but were happy to find that a lackadaisical immune system is something that for the most part I can deal with. We have lots and lots of Purel on hand and have done many a hand washing lessons with my guys this year.

Seth was also officially diagnosed with ADHD. In some ways the actual diagnosis and treatment was a welcome turning point, as school and homework were becoming all consuming as he reached his threshold of being able to function without help. The past few months have brought relief and the ability for him to concentrate on things he enjoys for the first time. He has read a large number of books since he has been able "to read the words without thinking about what's next, what I have to do next, over and over" (his words!). He has read the entire Spiderwick Chronicles, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, and the first four books of Harry Potter and many, many more others scattered in between-just since the last week of October!

Gabriel ventured onto the little league field for the first time in 2009, and his heart couldn't have been happier! He also finished reading 1,000 books with Daddy D and I to complete the 1,000 book challenge in preschool. September marked the beginning of Gabriel's journey into school with the start of Kindergarten!

2009 brought a family trip to Hersheypark, a wonderful superhero themed week at Camp Timberledge. It also brought the inception of the Catskill Mountain Children's Museum, a huge project that has begun with my friend Marcy and I. It will be two or three years worth of work, but we are hoping to bring a wonderful family resource to our area. And it will be wonderful to be a co-founder!

It also brought the birth of my niece, Mocha Cub. Daddy D and I got to be godparents for the first time! And we are infinitely blessed that God gave us a girl, just in a different kind of way!

In August Daddy D and I celebrated our tenth anniversary. We got to see the Dave Matthews Band and remember all of the wonderful, difficult, amazing moments of our first decade together. Also in August our little Eli turned one, bringing to an end our last year of firsts. He talked, he walked, he got his haircut-all in 2009. In October Daddy D turned thirty, finally joining me in the 3-oh's!

November brought a car accident, but thankfully a last minute change of plans meant I was driving our bigger, heavier vehicle when the deer jumped onto the minivan on the major highway in the area. I shudder to think what would have happened if I had been doing 65 in our Ford Focus wagon when it happened, as opposed to the much higher up Caravan. Still, $5,400+ later my minivan has been repaired and we are thankful for insurance!!!!

I will look back on 2009 with mostly fond memories or boyz who are getting older, but definitely still little boyz. I look forward to the great things 2010 has in store! Amazing things that will happen this coming year: Seth Mason will turn 10! We will be the parents of a child in double digits, which brings many new and interesting challenges with it. Nate the Great will venture into preschool this coming fall! Seth will graduate from our elementary school this June and be headed up to the middle school in September. We are hoping 2010 will bring more words from the mouth of Eli Noel, as right now he lets his minions of older brothers do his beckoning for him. Maybe with all three in school in the fall he will be out of options!

So many wonderful things to look back on, but so many new and exciting things to look forward to! May you and yours have a wonderful New Year!

Da Boyz at the Franklin Institute

This week being winter vacation all four boyz are home with Momma D. The prospect of an entire week snow bound in the freezing New York countryside alone with my angels was not appealing. So a few weeks ago a plan was hatched, and with the help of my sister Jes, her husband Brian and his mom we went to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

It was a wonderful, exciting, interesting and exhausting few hours. I'll let the pictures do most of the speaking, but a huge thank you to Jes, Brian and Karen who helped make it all possible. I would never have ventured so far and to such a bustling place alone with my crew and I am very grateful to have such loving extended family. I also was privileged to be a part of Mocha Cub's first museum experience!

The Pendulum Staircase, four stories high Seth and Gabriel rock climbing with Uncle B
Nate the Great was amazed at the city outside the glass
Learning about fulcrums and strength
Seth trying to fly in high winds

Seth, Gabriel & Nathan using air pressure to make the fog horns work

Nate really isn't getting the concept of lining up the constellations with the stars

Mocha Cub

Gabriel & Eli working together Seth experimenting with air

Aunt Jes, Mocha Cub & Seth, Gabriel & Nate

Second Son, Second Surgery Scheduled

Gabriel getting ready to go into surgery, August 2008

Gabriel will be having surgery on the 19th, three weeks from today. He is having tubes put in for the second time. He had his first surgery, that put the first set of tubes in and removed his over sized adenoids, ten days before Eli was born. I actually went into the room with him and held his hand as they put him under. I had to wear scrubs for even the few minutes that I was in the OR, and they were HUGE to fit around my very, very pregnant self.

But alas, that first set of tubes is no longer working. They are not even fully out of his ears yet. But Gabriel has had a large amount of fluid for some time now. So much so that he has a considerable hearing loss. We are more and more frequently met with what's? than him actually hearing what we are saying. And it is beginning to affect his ability to function fully in school. Not as much of a concern when he was in preschool, but now in Kindergarten it is a definite problem. We are hoping that just as before the hearing loss is temporary and will be relieved as soon as the pressure and fluid is.

So the nineteenth we are headed back to outpatient surgery. Hopefully things will go as smoothly as before and God will guide the hands of our talented and caring ENT. We are praying that it will be a day where problems are solved and again my little boy will be able to hear my whispers. It was the most amazing thing to hold a post-op son in my arms and softly speak "Mommy loves Gabriel" and hear in a horse, gravely tone "and Gabriel loves Mommy". I am looking forward to the repeat performance!

Egg Noggin

The Desrochers family has enjoyed the Christmas holiday immensely, and we hope you have as well!

The day was highlighted with our traditional morning of family time, where just the six of us open our presents with each other. We have breakfast and then open our stockings. We enjoy the leisurely pace of it all. Toy packaging is opened (or should I say breached, as opening new toys has become the equivalent of breaking into Fort Knox as of late-or is that just me?). Batteries are inserted. If absolutely necessary, meaning only after several attempts are made and then unsuccessful, the instruction manuals are consulted. Have I mentioned that I live in a household with five males?

Normally we head over to my mother's house in the late afternoon for an extended family dinner and present there. As inclement weather was imminent we moved this years gathering up a few hours and started in the very early afternoon with a late lunch. We found out that Eli is absolutely obsessed with ham and has no interest in most carbohydrate heavy and starchy foods. Gabriel was in heaven with his absolute favorite culinary delight--all things macaroni & cheese!

Present time at Grandma's is usually very interesting, and this year did not disappoint! My mom is queen of all things mail order. She finds some of the most interesting and different items for the boyz every year. This year's highlights were soft cars for Eli that then can be washed when they get dirty and these great monkeys that are actually sling shots the squeal as they fly through the air that were for Gabriel.

Gabriel also received a dodge ball set from his grandparents. It includes two vest with bulls eyes on them and these Velcro balls. Gabriel and his equally sports obsessed Grandpa headed to the basement for an inaugural game. They had a fabulous time whizzing balls past and onto each other. The delighted sounds of laughter that wafted up from the basement encouraged the other children to head downstairs to see what was happening. Eventually they too were running around and joining in on the craziness.

Which leads us to the great noggin incident of Christmas 2009. In the exuberance in regards to dodge ball, Nathan and Gabriel ceased to pay attention to their surroundings. They ran head first into each other. After much wailing, ice packs and tender touching of Momma and Daddy D it was determined that there was some major bruising but no broken or cracked bones. Lucky for us we had just been schooled in head injuries from urgent care when Eli fell and knocked his head on our bed frame earlier this month.

What did we learn from Christmas 2009? That apparently Nate the Great is more hard headed than Gabriel...

Coffee Cake for Christmas

It is starting to feel like Christmas, and not a moment too soon! I haven't much been in the "holiday spirit" as of late. Just too much happening in our lives right now. It has left me drained, tired and leaning towards the sadder side of things.

But this morning meant the start of Christmas vacation for my sons. We went to my mom's house this morning and jumped right in to our family's traditions. Grandma and the boyz, along with my sister and mocha cub, spent a couple of hours decorating sugar cookies in bright colored icing, candies and even drawing on them with edible markers. After finishing and eating some lunch we watched Grandma's favorite Christmas movie, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

We headed back to town by early afternoon. The boyz and I went to get last minute presents for Daddy D and our dog Ginger. We then ran into our grocery store to get some of the essentials that we were low on. Milk was needed to put out later this evening, as well as orange juice for breakfast in the morning. There was a great sale on the refrigerated cinnamon rolls that I could place in the oven in the morning which caught my eye. I grabbed two tubes and went to toss them in the cart. As I haven't been feeling very into the Christmas tadoo, I mentioned I would make them for breakfast in the morning.

Seth looked at me and said, "along with the coffee cake?". I always make the same coffee cake my mom would make from scratch every Christmas morning. We eat it warm out of the oven. I told him that we would have these instead. He replied that he wanted coffee cake. It is our family tradition.

And in the aisle of Shoprite I realized that no matter how little I might be "in the mood" for Christmas, my kids are excited and have expectations. Not necessarily of what gifts they "should" be getting, but of what this day means to them. It is a time that we do things together as a family. In a pattern and with meanings that are special and significant, if only to us.

Funny that in those moments the motherly instinct kicked in and gave me the extra oomph that I have been missing. Christmas eve dinner of a roasted chicken and vegetables is baking in the oven. Cookie dough is mixed and ready to go in next.

And in the morning I will get up early and make the coffee cake from scratch, get it in the oven and watch my son open presents. Then we will sit at the table and eat warm coffee cake together as a family. It will be Christmas for the Desrochers. Past. Present. Future.

May you enjoy all of the special things that you do with your family and friends for Christmas!

It's Christmas Time In The Country

Christmas has begun for the Desrochers family! We have had two evenings of gift giving and celebration with family and friends that have been wonderful. The sheer joy and smiles on my sons faces have been priceless, and I have been trying to cherish these moments. In years to come, as they grow older, I think these moments will be less pure and easy to come by. Not that my sons won't appreciate and enjoy the gifts given to them, but there natural reactions and ease in which they come are so much fun to experience with them. I think there is truly nothing like a kid at Christmas!

These last few days before Christmas are chock full of parties, baking, and present wrapping. But most important to my family is to remember why we are celebrating, the gift of Jesus Christ and his birth so long ago. So the higlight of the week will be our churches Christmas Eve candle light service. Celebrating, singing, worshiping together as a family and a community.

Enjoy this time with your family and friends. Savor the joy of giving. Cherish the blessings of receiving. Remember the reason for the Season!

Go Figure...

I am not a part of a small family. We have more than the "average" 1.86 children. Well more. And I am fiercely proud of my four boyz. But come on now!!!

I was out Christmas shopping with Daddy D and the little boyz last week. In line at the traffic light to leave the mall we spotted this SUV....

Seriously? We must put stick figures of ourselves, all EIGHT of our children and then our pets on our vehicles now? I must admit, a few years ago I contemplated a little stick figure ensemble. It was a fleeting moment of weakness. But never, even in those few minutes, did I contemplate monogramming all of our names underneath our stick figure selves. Not only does everybody and their uncle know our names, but while people are behind me in line at the mall they can contemplate our seemingly infinite depth of fertility.

These were my thoughts while examining this family portrait of sorts. First off, even after having four sons, like myself, they did keep going for that girl...and got her on baby #5. They had another little boy and then apparently twin girls to round out the eight. All their sons names start with A, and all of their daughters names start with S. Their dog must be a boy because the dog also had an A name. Not only that, but there is no possible way that there family of ten (minus their furry friend) were fitting in that vehicle all at one time!

While discussing this disturbing trend with Daddy D, most specifically the names, I suggested maybe they could have just used their first initials (if they must label them at all). To which Daddy D pointed out that that was not really an option. As the last three children are a boy and then two girls. An "A" and two "S"s. I guess he has a point.

The Martha Stewart Blog Show!

I am excited to say that I am going to be a part of the Martha Stewart blogging show in January! Today I received my confirmation letter inviting me to be part of the audience of this special show where I'll get to write and update my blog live from the Martha Stewart Show!

I can't wait to be a part of this special opportunity, and it makes me realize how many wonderful things have happened because of this blog. I have been blessed this year in many, many ways. One of my favorites being that discovering the world of blogging has allowed me an outlet to write my hearts desires, woes, difficulties and triumphs.

I have met many wonderful online friends. The blog has also let many of my friends and family with whom I don't really have much real life contact to get to know my children and myself a little deeper. I have been touched by the comments that you have left, whether they were "I've been there's" when I have had a particularly difficult mommy week, or "thank you for letting me know I am not alone's". I have loved the congratulations and praise through wonderful events, like the birth of my beautiful niece, and the support and prayers during hard moments like when we unexpectedly lost our family friend or Seth's surgery this summer.

I can't believe the great experiences I have gotten, and can't wait for this coming year and all of the wonderful things that are coming next! So check in on January 14th and read all about the special Martha Stewart Blog Show!

Our China Girl

Mocha Cub, my little niece, is now five months old! It seems like yesterday that we were anticipating her arrival. But already she is a bouncing, wiggling, giggling girl who is eating food and teething. I am her caretaker, and she spends several afternoons a week at my house while her parents are working.

There are certain things that you don't come across in an all boy household. All four of them have the same equipment, shall we say, and they don't really take much notice to closed bathroom doors or jumping in and out of the shower right after one another.

So it was an oddity to Nathan when Mocha Cub started coming over on a regular basis. As with all infants, diaper changes are a necessity. And the first time he was sitting in the room when I was changing her diaper he glanced over and then confused he wandered over for a closer examination.

"Mommy, she's just a butt!"

As we use the word penis in our household, I found it counterproductive to use a nickname for the girl version of anatomy.

"No, Nate. She is a girl, and a girl has a vagina."

"Not just a butt...she has a china?"

After several attempts at correct pronunciation I gave up. He has come to calling her a "china girl". This made for an interesting conversation at the store when a random elderly man came up and remarked about how pretty she was.

Nathan responded matter-of-factly. "She's a china girl."

To which the man responded, "Why yes, she does look like a china doll!"

"No, a CHINA GIRL!" Nate insisted.

I, of course, jumped in very quickly and responded that yes she does look like a little doll and maneuvered the stroller out of ear shot as fast as possible. The poor man need not know exactly what it is that Nate the Great was referring to!

Santa Stories

We are enjoying the holiday season here at Maison Desrochers! This past weekend we had our local firehouse party. As Daddy D is a volunteer member, and actually drives one of the trucks, we get invited to attend. Last year was our first year going. It was overwhelming, tons and tons of people in one big room. But it was a great experience for the kids.

Now that they knew what to expect, it was much anticipated around our household! Sunday came and we had some very excited little boyz. Mostly because Santa stops by the firehouse during the party, driven in on the back of a fire truck. Apparently he makes visits before Christmas to the firehouses before his sleigh is ready, kind of like a test run for the big day.

We don't partake much in the Santa tradition around here. In fact, we talk about the spirit of Santa and giving to others without wanting credit or acknowledgement in return. We read stories more about the celebration of the birth of Jesus than about sleighs and chimneys. The gifts under our tree are from Mom & Dad, with the exception of one gift for all of the children. That is usually a much asked for gift and something mom and dad aren't all too excited about. So it is the "Santa present". Given from an unknown person.

This is all well and good, and Seth took it all in stride. Then came Gabriel. The stubborn second child. He refuses to believe us. We have been told that we are the ones making stuff up, and he believes in Santa. We don't push it, but we do find it amusing that our child thinks we are the ones fabricating a story amidst the giant plumes of Santa smoke everyone else is blowing. In time it will settle itself.

But in the meantime we have a son who threw an entire three pound bag of carrots off the back steps for reindeer and prepared yummy chocolate chip cookies and milk prior to bed last Christmas Eve. He wants the magic and the fun of it all.

With sparkling eyes and a one-cheeked dimple he sat at our table yesterday. He ate his lunch and would look up and say, just awhile yet? He did a craft and returned to ask again, awhile still? He sat with arms folded and chin perched atop surveying the parking lot. Smirking all the while.

He was one of the first up and out of his seat when the truck came into view. He was bouncing up and down beaming as he entered the room. He rushed and sat in the space by the tree and chair that had been set out. And he waited for his moment.

Then Santa said his name and he got to go forward, sit on his lap and get his gift. He returned to us absolutely giddy. Made even more so by the receipt of an Air Hogs radio controlled UFO flier. He waved goodbye as Santa left the room. He didn't stop waving until after Santa had climbed aboard the truck and had driven out of sight.

I can tell my child about overblown stories and exaggerated tales. I can tell him about myths and fiction. But in the end he will be who he is, a little boy who chooses to believe in the sparkle and shine of a big, happy and giving man. And we have decided to let him have his magical moments of childhood. The dimpled smile is worth it.

Winner of the Uneaks Giveaway!

The winner of the Uneaks Giveaway, chosen using randomizer.org, is comment #6:

Kristen said...
I am also a Momma D follower on Facebook!
December 5, 2009 5:00 AM

I have emailed Kristen and she has 48 hours to respond or forfeits her prize.

Thank you to Uneaks for sponsering this great giveaway! A few weeks later we are still VERY happy with Nate's shoes, and he loves them. If you didn't win, be sure to get a pair! Well worth it at a great price for quality shoes!

Uneaks Shoe Review & Giveaway! (Ends 12/11)

We were recently given the oppurtunity to try out the Uneaks shoe system in our household. The Uneaks shoe system is exactly what it sounds like, unique! You purchase a pair of sneakers from their website, and then purchase coordinating socks. The socks allow you to customize your childs shoes to their mood, interests or what they are wearing for the day because the outer side of each shoe has a see through plastic window. Most styles of these shoes are available in children's sizes 8 through 3.5.

As the older boyz had just gotten new shoes for the start of the school year, Nathan got to pick a pair. He chose the Camel Rev shoe that has a skater look to it. The uppers are a soft suede that bends easily with his foot. The sole of the shoe is the chunkier yet flat style of the skater look. He loves that his shoes look similar to his older brothers, who wear the same sort of style. I like that the laces are the flat ones the traditionally go with this type of shoe, but was pleasantly suprised that they are somewhat thinner. So without compromising the style, they managed to make the laces more manageable for tiny hands and feet.

The Uneaks shoes come in both boy and girl styles, all affordably priced at $39.99. I am very impressed with the quality of the shoe itself. The materials are wonderful, not at all cheap. The suede looks and feels great. These definitely seem to be a first rate shoe!

The customizable part of the shoe is in the form of the socks that you purchase to go along with it. Uneaks has many designs, including a Madagascar line from the film. Each pair of socks is two sided, with a different pattern on opposite sides. As the window on the shoes is only on the outer edge, you get two different looks from each pair of socks purchased. Wear you Pink Zebra print on Monday, wash them and then on Thursday or Friday wear the Pink Camo. I love the value for your dollar that this system provides! I find that to be a well thought out feature. Each pair of socks retail for $3.99.

Nathan received four pairs of socks (thats EIGHT looks!) with his sneakers. He loved looking through them all. As he is growing out of his flamed vans, he is particularly partial to the flames so that he can make his new shoes "fire shoes". He also loved that he got to wear sports balls with his football sweats.




Nate had no complaints about these shoes. He is loving the different socks. He loves that some are crew length and some are ankle length. My only quam is that with this particular shoe the window is slightly smaller than some others, but that is a sacrifice we made for that style I suppose. Keep that in mind if you are purchasing these shoe systems, wether that will bother your child or not. Nate was slightly disappointed when he wore the larger of the sports balls pattern as many of the balls were indistiguishable throught the side do to the size. We will wear the other side, with the smaller balls, much more frequently in order for him to see more of the pattern.


We like these shoes a lot here in our household! Thank you to Uneaks who provided us with a free pair of shoes and four pairs of socks for review. Although I was given the product to try out and review free of charge, all of this post is my opinions and feelings based on the prouct reviewed. For purchase, please check the retailer section of the Uneaks website. They are available at several retail locations, mostly in the Northeast. But they are also available through several website, including the Uneaks own site.


Uneaks has also been gracious to offer a FREE PAIR of Uneaks shoes and TWO PAIRS of socks to a Momma D and Da Boyz reader!


To enter the Uneaks giveaway, please visit their website. Pick what shoe and sock combo most interests you and then come back here and leave a comment telling me what that items you would like and why. YOU MUST DO THIS FIRST OR OTHER ENTRIES WILL NOT COUNT. Please be sure that your profile has your email right on it, or be sure to leave your email address in your comment. This giveaway is open to US residents only.



To get additional entries into the giveaway you can do the following:



1. Follow me! If you become a follower of MommaDandDaBoyz, or already a follower, leave a comment for an additional entry.

2. Follow me on twitter. In the right sidebar you can find a link to my twitter account. Follow me on twitter and comment back here for another entry.

3. Tweet this giveaway on twitter. Comment here with a link to the tweet for an additional entry. You can do this once a day for the duration of the blog for added entries.

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5. Favorite me on Technorati, the link is on my right sidebar. Comment here for the entry.

6. Blog about this giveaway! Comment here with a link to your blog entry for 2 additional entries. Be sure to label your comments #1 and #2.

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The Uneaks Giveaway will close at 11:59 pm on December 11th.

Eli's First Haircut

These pictures were taken one week apart,

on Thanksgiving last Thursday and this evening.

Today is the day that I mark as the end of being a mother of infants. That chapter of my life has closed and the page has turned as my fourth and final son embarks on into toddlerhood. I saw it happen before my eyes as the tiny sparse little curls fell into the folds of Daddy D's jeans as he held him for his first haircut.

Little curls of fine, whispery thin hair that had been on his head when he entered into this world fifteen months ago. The twist on the ends of otherwise straight hair that would wiggle and twist at the slightest breeze, or whoosh up as he learned to run from the living room to the playroom.

In just a few moments our friend Erin, who has a salon up the road from us, snipped away the last remnants of the infant that was. He looked rather ominously at the scissors at first, but did not yelp or scream. Curious glances back at the scissors and movements to get away from their sharp cutting sounds were all that he put forth. Occasionally pulling his head back and staring into the eyes of his father. Eyebrows and forehead furrowed, searching for the explanation of why and what was happening. Eyes squeezed closed and lips pursed as she brushed away the little hairs that remained scattered about when she was finished. And it was done.

I gathered the precious curls, placing them in an envelope and sealing it closed. Labeled in my rather sloppy handwriting with his name and today's date. I will put it in my keepsake box until the day comes where I print out the pictures and commemorate today in his scrapbook. My baby looking like a little boy for the first time. Complete with the true sign of toddlerhood, a big bruise on his forehead from where he fell into my bed last night as he lost his footing with his sometimes still unsure little feet. Safe in the pages of the scrapbook, sandwiched between his second Thanksgiving and Christmas, will be this day. The day he began to look like a little boy. And I said goodbye to babies.

Eli's Face Paint

Lest you are mistakenly thinking that my son Nate, of whose escapades have been well chronicled this year, is alone in the mischief making in our household-I am here to tell you he is not alone!

Lately what I would have figured the least likely of culprits has stepped up to make some mighty interesting debacles. Little Eli, whom I always think of as my darling baby boy, has set off on his own toddling path of destruction as of late. Most can probably be contributed to the boundless curiosity of a toddler finding all things new, interesting and in need of immediate and thorough investigation.

I do my best to make sure his environment is safe and secure. But in not trying to be a "helicopter parent", which by the way is one of my favorite terms this decade, and not hover over my children's every move-sometimes interesting things happen. Such is true when I was making lunch in the kitchen a few days ago. In the dining room Eli and Nathan were playing and doing their own thing. I could here them each talking to themselves.

I brought the plates into the next room, only to be met with a huge grin from Eli. But not your normal grin. A watercolor paint smeared face. Apparently Daddy D and Seth had not placed the watercolor strips high enough up on the piano to dry. Eli's tiny little fingers had gotten them and turned them into his own sticky finger paints.

As they are non-toxic and were just smeared all over and not ingested, I was not in a panic. But I wanted to take a picture of it. First he was very elusive with his million tiny steps a minute maneuvers, ducking deftly around corners...

By the time I caught him he was not amused with my pursuit...

And you would have think I had washed off Monet's masterpiece the way he wailed at my attempts to clean him up a bit...

In the end it only took a few minutes to clean up and gave us some memorable pictures for the scrapbook. Although a few days later I found a watercolor hand print on the dining room blinds that made me grin, and I have yet to wipe it away in all it's tiny smeared glory.